Universe (Exo EP)
Universe (Korean: Universe – 겨울 스페셜 앨범, 2017; RR: Universe – gyeoul seupesyeol aelbeom, 2017; lit. Universe - Winter Special Album, 2017) is the sixth extended play by South Korean–Chinese boy band Exo. It was released by SM Entertainment on December 26, 2017.[1]
Universe | ||||
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![]() Digital cover artwork | ||||
EP by | ||||
Released | December 26, 2017 | |||
Genre | ||||
Length | 30:45 | |||
Language | ||||
Label | ||||
Producer | Lee Soo-man (exec.) | |||
Exo chronology | ||||
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Singles from Universe | ||||
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Release
On December 14, 2017, Exo was announced to be releasing their sixth extended play and fourth "winter special" album titled Universe on December 21.[2] Following the death of South Korean singer and Exo's labelmate Jonghyun, a member of SHINee, the album's release was postponed.[3] Universe and the music video for its title track were instead released on December 26, 2017.[4]
Single
The lead single "Universe" debuted at number one on the Melon Realtime Chart. "Universe", produced by Shin Hyuk and MRey, is described as a rock ballad that talks about how a person will search the universe just to find their lover. The single debuted at number two on the South Korean Gaon Digital Chart. It also topped the Billboard Korea Kpop Hot 100 for the first week of 2018.
Promotion
Exo performed "Universe" for the first time on December 31 on MBC's year-end show, MBC Gayo Daejejeon.[5]
Reception
Upon release, Universe was praised by fans for using gender-neutral pronouns such as "me" and "you" instead of "he" and "she" in the lyrics.[6]
Commercial performance
The album debuted atop the South Korean Gaon Album Chart and at number two on the Billboard World Albums Chart.[7]
Track listing
Credits adapted from Naver, iTunes[8] and ASCAP.[9]
No. | Title | Lyrics | Music | Arrangement | Length |
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1. | "Universe" |
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| 4:24 |
2. | "Universe" (為心導航) |
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| 4:24 | |
3. | "Been Through" (Korean: 지나갈 테니; RR: Jiagal Teni; lit. I Will Pass) |
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| 3:38 |
4. | "Stay" |
| 3:51 | ||
5. | "Fall" |
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| 3:27 |
6. | "Good Night" |
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| 3:31 |
7. | "Lights Out" (sung by Suho, Baekhyun, Chen and D.O.) |
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| 3:06 | |
8. | "Universe" (CD version) |
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| 4:24 |
Total length: | 30:45 |
Charts
Weekly charts
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Monthly charts
Year-end charts
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Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Nominated work | Category | Result |
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2017 | Gaon Chart Music Awards | Universe | Album of the Year – 4th Quarter | Nominated |
2018 | Melon Music Awards | Album of the Year (Daesang) | Nominated |
Music program awards
Song | Program | Date |
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"Universe" | M Countdown (Mnet) | January 4, 2018 |
Music Bank (KBS) | January 5, 2018 | |
January 12, 2018 | ||
Show! Music Core (MBC) | January 6, 2018 |
Release history
Region | Date | Format | Label | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
South Korea | December 26, 2017 | [21] | ||
Worldwide | Digital download, streaming | SM Entertainment | [8] |
References
- "EXO Delivers Up Winter Album 'Universe'". Billboard. Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- "EXO to drop special winter album 'Universe' next week". The Korea Herald. December 14, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
- "EXO postpones winter album amid passing of singer Kim Jong-hyun". The Korea Herald. December 20, 2017. Retrieved December 25, 2017.
- "엑소, 새 앨범 발매 21일→26일로 연기…故 종현 애도[공식]" (in Korean). Retrieved December 12, 2017.
- "엑소, MBC '가요대제전'서 신곡 무대 최초 공개" (in Korean). Retrieved December 28, 2017.
- "EXO release new video for Universe as fans praise gender neutral album". Metro. December 28, 2017. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
- "Gaon Album Chart – Week 52, 2017". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- "Universe – Winter Special Album, 2017 by EXO". iTunes Store. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
- Universe Tracklist from ASCAP:
- "Universe". ASCAP. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- "Been Through (지나갈 테니)". ASCAP. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- "Stay". ASCAP. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- "Fall". ASCAP. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- "Good Night". ASCAP. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- "Lights Out". ASCAP. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
- "Top Albums Téléchargés". Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. December 29, 2017. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- "Oricon Weekly Charts - Universe: 2017 Winter Special Album". January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- "Universe: 2017 Winter Special Album – Billboard's Japan Hot Albums". January 8, 2018. Retrieved January 10, 2018.
- "NZ Heatseeker Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 6, 2018.
- "Exo Chart History (Independent Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
- "Exo Chart History (World Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved January 4, 2018.
- "Gaon Album Chart – December, 2017". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 20, 2018.
- "Gaon Album Chart – Year 2017". Gaon Chart (in Korean). Retrieved January 20, 2018.
- Cumulative sales for "Universe":
- "Universe – Winter Special Album, 2017". Xiami. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
- "재팬 - 오리콘 위클리 싱글/앨범/DVD/블루레이 차트 1~100위 (갱신완료)". theqoo.net (in Korean). January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 24, 2018.
- Cumulative sales for "Universe":
- "Gaon Album Chart – December, 2017". Gaon Music Chart. Retrieved 2018-01-11.
- "Gaon Album Chart - April 2018". Gaon. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- "Universe – Winter Special Album, 2017 by EXO". Melon. Retrieved December 26, 2017.